Adjustable section for a watch bracelet



DCC. 17, 1968 K. A. RIETH .3,416,305

ADJUSTABLE SECTION FOR WATCH BRACELET Filed Aug. l5, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet l u v w11" Hr ,fa 3

TTORNEYS Dec. 17, 196s l v,31,416305 ADJUSTABLE SECTION EOE A WATCH BRACELET 4 K. A. RIETH 4 sheets-shea 2.

Filed Aug'. 15, 196

KURT 1A. RIETH ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1968 y lRlETj-i y l ADJUSTABLE SECTION FCRA WATCH BRACELET sheets-snee; :s L

Filed Aug. 15, 1966 .g @mja f 'ATTQRNEYS- Dec. 17, 1968 ADJUSTABLE SECTION FOR A WA'IACH BRACELET Filed Aug. l5, 1966 83C 'es 83B 1 *BIE BOF

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vINVEITOR.` KURT -A :RIETH K. ARIETH E -l-3,416,305

United States Patent Office 3,416,305 Patented Dec. 17, 1968 3,416,305 ADJUSTABLE SECTION FOR A WATCH BRACELET Kurt Albert Rieth, Warwick, RJ., assignor to Textron, Inc., Providence, RJ., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,463 14 Claims. (Cl. 59-79) This invention relates to an adjustable section for a watch :bracelet and it is applicable both to expansible and nonexpansible bracelets.

Since purchasers wrists vary in size, it is necessary for the manufacturer to supply watch bracelets in several lengths or to provide a bracelet the length of which may be adjusted by the retail dealer to fit the customers wrist.

While many attempts have been made to provide bracelets the length of which can be adjusted, they have not solved the long felt need due to their added cost, to the diiculty of adjustment thereof by the dealer or to the fact that they detract from the ornamental qualities of the bracelet.

One object of this invention is to provide an adjustable section for a watch bracelet which is simple for the retail dealer to use and which requires a minimum of his time.

Another object is to provide an adjustable section which does not require special tools for the removal or addition of links.

A further object is to provide an adjustable section which doe-s not detract from the appearance of the bracelet.

A still further object is to provide an adjustable section which may be used with either expansible or non-expansible bracelets, which is simple in construction, durable in use and which can be -manufactured at a reasonable cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon consideration of the following specification and the accompanying drawings in which three embodiments of the invention are chosen for the purposes of illustration.

According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustable section comprises two rows of overlapping staggered links, each link having one side which includes a plurality of inwardly projecting members with their adjacent ends spaced apart to form a iirst Igap extending longitudinally along the centerline of that side of the link and with adjacent side portions of said projecting members spaced apart to provide a pair of second gaps which extend in opposite directions from the rst gap towards the outer portions of that side of the link, the inwardly projecting members of the links of one row overlying the inwardly projecting members of the other row so that by sliding the links longitudinally relative to each other, links may be removed or added to obtain the desired length for the customers wrist. The invention is further characterized by the provision of a catch member which, when the section is assembled, is resiliently urged through registering pairs of said second gaps thereby to secure the links together, the catch member being concealed Ifrom view when the bracelet is on the wearers wrist but when the bracelet is removed from the wrist being accessible between bottom links so that it maybe depressed by a lingernail or a knife causing it to move out of the registering gaps and freeing the links for relative longitudinal sliding movement and thus separation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the links comprise tabs at opposite ends which terminate in ends which are parallel to and spaced 'from the projecting members to form openings which serve as guides for the relative longitudinal sliding movement of the links.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the catch member is integral with and located intermediate the ends of a flat spring and the legs of the spring diverge from the catch member to a wall of the link in which the spring is located thereby providing a durable combined resilient means and catch which is economical to manufacture and to install.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, eachV link of one row of links includes an ornamental shell which may be easily attached to the underlying link element so that a basic skeleton of the underlying link-s of the adjustable section may be manufactured and top shells of any desired design may be attached thereto to match the design of the links of the remainder of the bracelet.

According to a fth aspect of the invention resilient means are provided in 'both rows of links, each resilient means in one row of links comprising a ilat spring with its central portion engaging the ends of the catches which project into the link in which the flat spring is located, the flat spring having legs which extend from said catches to outer portions of the wall of said link which is positioned opposite to the projecting ends of said catches thereby to provide greater stability to the adjustable section both during and after assembly.

Otlher aspects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a yside view of one embodiment of an adjustable section made according to this invention assembled with the links of one type of expansible bracelet, the expansible portions being shown in contracted position 'and parts thereof being broken away and shown in section taken on the line 1 1 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 2 is a view 'similar to FIG. 1 but showing the links of the expansible .portion in expanded positions, the partial section being taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of the elements which are at the right of FIG. l, the partial section being taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the elements which are shown at the right of FIG. 1 but with the linkage turned -bottom side up.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the elements which are at the right of FIG. 2, the partial section being taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of one of the springs used in the top links of the expansible section.

FIG. 6X is a perspective of one of the springs used in the bottom links of the expansible section.

FIG. 7 is a perspective of one of the connecting members used in the expansible section.

FIG. 7X is a perspective of one of the members which connects the adjustable section to the expansible section of the linkage.

FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9 of FIG. 2.

FIG. l0 is an enlarged perspective looking at the bottom of one of the top links of the expansible section.

FIG. 11 is a perspective of the combined catch and flat spring used in the links of one row of links of the adjustable section of the linkage.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective looking at the bottom side of one of the top links of the adjustable section.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective of one of the bottom links of the adjustable section.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged section of a pair of links of the adjustable section taken on the line 14 14 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view of four links of the adjustable section with :parts broken away and shown in section taken on the line 15 15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective of a top and bottom link removed from the adjustable section.

mild mechanical treatment may, for instance, consist of striking, rubbing, brushing, or vibrating. Such treatment during the electrical treatment will not only `fold out but also spread the material ont.

At this point in the flow sheet of FIGURE 1 the sheet material is in a spreadout condition wherein the individual fibrils, making up the material, are parallel to the longitudinally axis of the sheet material. In many cases, :and for many applications, this is a desirable configuration. However, for certain textile products the yarn used in the manufacture therein should not be lean and smooth but rather should have 'a high percentage of loose'fibrils along the surface of the web or sheet as the case may be. For instance, in the case of blankets, carpets, and fabrics made from woolen yarns, it is essential to use a bulky yarn which is not produced under the process described in the above-identified patent.

My invention resides in for-ming a pile fabric from this polymeric sheet material as it emerges from the foldingout step.

With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, after the sheet material has been folded out as described hereinabove, it passes between -a pair of generally cylindrical rollers 12 and 13, which are rotatably mounted in frame plates 14 and 16 respectively. These frame plates 14 and 16 extend vertically from a base plate 18 which is mounted on wheels 20. This unit is able to be wheeled into a position to receive the film 10 `directly from the folding-out step described in FIGURE 1 in the event that it is desirable to make the whole process continuous. The sheet or web 10 passes from the rollers 12 and 13 to a roller 54 (see FIGURE 6) which is also rotatably mounted in plates 14 and 16.

With reference to FIGURE 6, -a plurality of rollers 54 are shaped to form a crown 56 at their centers. As a result, the fibrils in the central portion of film 10 passing over the crown 56 will break while those in the edge portion of the film passing over the edge of the roller will not. This action of crowned rollers 54 (FIGURE 2) causes the fibrils in the center portion of sheet 10 to break. This web is particularly useful in making yarn and 'as such it is twisted by conventional yarn twisting means as it is wound onto a spool 58.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, rollers 13, 54 (only one roller is shown; however, it would be Within the skill of the art to connect a plurality of crowned rollers into the mechanism) and 29 are connected to a suitable driving mechanism 30. This mechanism comprises an endless belt or chain 32 which passes over a pulley or sprocket 34 which is fixed to roller 54, then over a sprocket 36 which is fixed to roller 13, then over a sprocket 38 which is fixed to roller 29, then over an idler sprocket 40, then over a drive sprocket 42, which is driven by any suitable power source such as electric motor 44, and finally back over sprocket 34. The rollers 12, 13, 54, 28, and 29 are rotated in the directions shown by the arrows.

With reference to FIGURE 4, roller 22 is provided with a plurality of grooves 24 and a plurality of needles 26- or other similar sharp, pointed implements, which project radially from the center of the grooves 24. These needles may be secured in the grooves 24 in any suitable manner. As the sheet 10 passes over the roller 22, portions of it are channelled into the grooves 24 and become impaled upon the needles which penetrate through the sheet material and cause a portion of the individual fibrils to be severed. The degree of breakage would be determined by the number of grooves in the roller and the number of pins in the grooves; however, no more than one-half of the fibers passing over the roller should be broken in order to retain suiiicient web strength. In the preferred embodiment we show only 4one roller but it would be within the skill of the art to adapt a plurality of rollers over which the film could be passed. The film after passing over the pin-studded froller 22 is received by a pair of pick-up rollers 28 and 29 which are also rotatably mounted in the frame plates 14 yand 16. These rollers feed the bulky sheet material to a suitable take-up mandrel (not shown).

FIGURE S illustrates another embodiment of my invention. In this embodiment a roller 46 contains a plurality of grooves 48 around the perimeter thereof. These grooves are cut at `an angle of 45 to the horizontal axis 50 of the roller 46. This roller 46 is attached to frames 14 and 16 in place of roller 22. A plurality of knife blades 52 are positioned around `the circumference of roller 53 rotatably mounted between the Vertical frames 14 and 16 a predetermined distance from roller 46. The sheet 10 is passed between the roller and the blade. The blade 52 is rotated in close enough proximity to the roller 46 so that portions of the film 10 pass over the crown of the grooves 48 and are cut by the rotating blades 52. Because of the angle of inclination of these grooves a discontinuons chopping of the individual fibrils results without cutting entirely across the sheet itself. The strength of the sheet itself is not significantly affected. This fabric possesses a tremendous advantage over a normal pile fabric because the pile fibers form an integral part of the sheet and are firmly anchored to the surface of the sheet.

In order to illustrate with greater particularity and clarity the operation of my process, the following examples -are offered as illustrative of the operation thereof. The specific materials and conditions given in the examples are presented as being typical and should not be construed to limit my invention unduly.

EXAMPLE I A 60inch wide brillated web of 0.8 mil polyethylene, having -a density of 0.95 gram/cc. and a melt index of 0.3 (ASTM D 123 8-5DT, Condition E), is threaded through the machine described in FIGURE 2. A chopper roller 53 is provided with l2 tempered spring steel blades 52 around its circumference. The blades 52 coact with a 12-inch diameter grooved roller 46, made of mild steel and coated to a thickness of 60 mils with 80 durometer rubber. Each groove 48 in roller 46 defines an ellipse in a plane making a 45 angle with the roller axis. These grooves are 14s-inch wide, 1As-inch deep, and spaced so that their centers are 1r-inch apart, and having all their edges and corners chamfered and rounded on a 1/winch radius. Bulk film is fed to roller 12 at the rate of 20 feet per minute while the machine is being adjusted to insure clean, uniform cuts. After adjustment, the rate is increased to `feet per minute and about 2000 feet of the material is fed through the machine.

Air lters 21/2 feet square are produced from some of this material -by laminating 21 layers of this bulked film together, each layer being laid at right angles to the adjacent layers 21 and being stitched together in both directions across lthe film at 6-inch intervals with cotton string and subsequently edged with an aluminum channel having a 1s-inch flange.

In another application ten 8-foot sections of this bulked fibrilated web are stitched together on 4-inch centers both lengthwise and crosswise and the edges bound to make an exceptionally warm, lightweight blanket.

Example 1I The rollers 46 and 53 are replaced with a 12-inch diameter pin-studded roller 22 similar to that shown in FIGURE 4. The grooves 24 are 1/2-inch centerto-center with a sharp 60 included angle peak between the grooves. In each groove 36 equally spaced cylindrical pins 26 are positioned wherein each pin is W32-inch in diameter and has a fiat, sharp edged top portion located '07,2-inch below the peaks. Web material similar to that used in Example I is threaded through the machine and the machine is started and run at an initial rate of about 15 feet per minute output while adjustments of the film tension over the pinstudded roller 22 are made. After adjustment, the rate is increased to 150 feet per minute to produce approximately 33 and the top walls of the top links and their bottom legs 35-B positioned between ends of the springs 34 and the bottom Walls of the bottom links 32.

As shown in FIGS. v8 and 9, the connecting members are held in the links by tabs 31-A and 32-A bent down and up respectively from the ends of the top and bottom links.

When the linkage is stretched the connecting member legs 3S-A and 35-B rotate Aand depress the ends of the springs 33, 34 as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 9. When the tension is released the springs rotate the legs 35-A and 35B back to their original positions and the linkage is returned to the contracted position shorwn in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 8.

One end top link of the expansible section is connected to the end bottom link 21 of the adjustable section by .a connecting member 40 (FIG. 7-X) the end -40-X of which is shorter than the end 35-X of the connecting members for the expansible linkage. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper legs `I-A are located between the spring 33 and the top wall of the top link 31 and the lower legs 40-B extend beneath the inwardly projecting members 21-F of the end bottom link of the adjustable section.

The ornamental design impressed upon the top sides -A of the links 20 of the adjustable section matches the design impressed on the top sides of the top links 31 of the expansible sections.

It is not necessary to place the adjustable section between two expansible sections, instead it may be placed `at one end of an expansible section and a member provided to connect its free end to one side of a wrist watch.

The adjustable section of this invention may be used with other types of expansible linkages and also with nonexpansible linkages such as those in which a buckle is provided which is unclasped when the watch and :bracelet are slipped over the hand to the users wrist `and then reclasped to retain them on the wrist.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 to 23 is adapted for use with narrower watch bracelets normally used by ladies.

The expansible sections are similar to the expansible sections of the bracelet shown in FIGS. l to 9 except that ornamental top shell 66 is added to the top link 60 and it is secured there by tabs 66-B which are located at the centers of the side walls of the top shell and are bent into notches in the bottom side of the top link.

The rows of top and bottom links 60 and 61 of the adjustable section are similar to the top links 20 and 21 of the first embodiment except that they are shorter.

The bottom links comprise top and bottom sides 61-B and 61-A, the top side-having inwardly projecting members 61-E and 61-F which form longitudinal first gaps (not shown completely) and transverse second gaps 61-H.

The top links include an ornamental top shell 66 which has end tabs 66-A and is secured to the underlying main top link element by centrally located tabs 66-B which are bent into the outer ends of the transverse second gaps 60-H of the link. As in the rst embodiment the main top link comprises a top side 60-A, and a bottom side 60-B having inwardly projecting members 60-E and 60-F which form a longitudinal rst gap 60-G and transverse second gaps 60-H. No end tabs are provided on the main top link elements because the top shell end tabs 66-A perform their functions.

The flat springs for the top links (FIG. 19) each comprises a catch member- 63-A, diverging legs 63-B and downwardly inclined ends 63-C.

Flat springs 67 (FIG. 20) are also provided in the bottom links of this embodiment.

As best shown in FIGS. 18 and 21 each of the fiat springs 67 has its central engaging the ends of the two catches 63-A which project into the bottom link in which the spring is located and its legs 67-B extend downwardly from the catches to engage outer portions of the bottom side or wall 61-A of the bottom link. When the links 60-61 of the adjustable section are short as in this embodiment the bottom links are loose and insure while they are being assembled with and even after assembly with the top links. The addition of the relatively wide at springs 67 stabilizes the bottom links because it is biased between the catch and end portions of the bottom link and this holds them in a horizontal plane which is Substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the top links.

The provision of the separate top shells 66 and 55-A permits conversion of basic adjustable sections and basic expansible sections into different ornamental designs by merely using top shells the surfaces of which are impressed with different designs.

The adjustment of the length of the watch bracelet of this second embodiment is performed in the same manner as in the rst embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 28 is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 18 to 23 except that the links are longer and so it may be used for a mans bracelet. However, no springs, similar to the springs 67, are provided in the bottom links of the yadjustable section of this embodiment.

In the expansible sections the ornamental shells 70-A are secured to the top links 70 by tabs 70-B which extend into notches which are provided in the bottom sides of the top link.

The bottom links of the adjustable section comprise top and bottom sides 81-B and 81-A, the top side comprising inwardly projecting members 81-E and 81-F which form longitudinal rst gaps 81-G and transverse second gaps 81-H. Each bottom link also has end tabs Each top link includes an ornamental top shell v86 which has end tabs 86-A and is secured to the underlying main top link element by tabs 86-B and 86-0 which are bent into openings or gaps between the inwardly projecting members of the bottom side 80-B of the main top link element, as shown in FIG. 27.

Each main top link element comprises a top side 80-A and a bottom side 80-B. The bottom side SO-B is provided with inwardly projecting members Stl-E and 80-F which form a longitudinal first gap 80-G near the center line of the link. The transverse second gaps 80-H are formed by sides of the tabs `86-B and the adjacent sides of the inwardly projecting members 80-E and 80-F respectively as shown in FIG. 27.

No end tabs are provided on the main top link elements because the top shell end tabs 86-A perform their functions.

Each of the at springs for the top links (FIG. 25) comprises a catch member 83-A, diverging legs 83-B and downwardly sloped end portions 83-C.

The provision of the separate top shells 86 and 70'-A permits the conversion of the basic adjustable and expansible sections into different ornamental `designs by using top shells the surfaces of which are impressed with different designs.

The adjustment of the length of the watch bracelet of this third embodiment is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that an adjustable section for a watch bracelet embodying this invention accomplishes the objects stated above and solves the long felt want in the very old art of watch bracelets.

It should be understood that the specific embodiments of this invention which are disclosed herein are of a descriptive rather than a limiting nature and that Various changes, combinations, substitutions, additions and modications may be made in accordance with these teachings without departing in spirit or scope from the invention in its broader aspect.

I claim:

1. An adjustable section for a watch bracelet comprising: 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE SECTION FOR A WATCH BRACELET COMPRISING: TWO ROWS OF OVERLAPPING, STAGGERED LINKS, EACH LINK HAVING ONE SIDE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBERS HAVING THEIR ADJACENT ENDS SPACED APART TO FORM A FIRST GAP EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE CENTERING OF SAID ONE SIDE AND ADJACENT INNER SIDE PORTIONS SPACED APART TO FORM A PAIR OF SECOND GAPS WHICH EXTEND IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM SAID FIRST GAP TOWARDS THE OUTER PORTIONS OF SAID ONE SIDE, THE INWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBERS OF THE LINK IN ONE ROW OF LINKS OVERLYING THE INWARDLY PROJECTING MEMBERS IN THE OTHER ROW OF LINKS WITH PAIRS OF SECOND GAPS REGISTERING WITH EACH OTHER, A CATCH MEMBER, AND RESILIENT MEANS IN THE LINKS OF AT LEAST ONE ROW OF LINKS, EACH RESILIENT MEANS URGING A CATCH MEMBER THROUGH AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF REGISTERING SECOND GAPS, WHEREBY SAID LINKS MAY BE SEPARATED BY MOVING SAID CATCH MEMBER OUT OF SAID REGISTERING GAPS AND SLIDING SAID LINKS LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER. 